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XC vs. All Mountain: FIGHT!

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Tamim

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm trying to decide on what kind of bike to get (going to be my first bike), and it's come down to All Mountain or XC, the Iron Horse Azure Comp (XC) vs the Iron Horse MK III (all mountain)

I want to get an Iron Horse because that is what RScycle sells as well as my local bike shop where my friend works :) other then that I think their bikes look really cool.

Can you guys help me make a decision and get a little more info about what each kind of bike can do over the other?

Here's what I know so far.

Azure
XC
-light weight
-fast
-better at going up hill
-more pedaling efficiency

MK III
All Mountain

-better rounded?
-can handle a wider variety of terrain
-better control & feel?
-better at going down hill
-more travel at 5 inches
-better suspension
-more comfortable?
-slightly less expensive

What are my limitations with each? I.E. what can I NOT do with the XC that the All Mountain will be able to do? They both have FS, the XC has 4 inches of travel while the All Mountain has 5.

I like the sound of the Azure more because I do not weigh alot, I'm 135 lbs and about 5'9 and the pedaling efficiency sounds like a nice addition as well as the speed. I plan to have this mountain bike for a long time, which one should I get?
 
#2 ·
What kind of riding do you do and where? Hard to say what kind of bike suits you without that basic information. Both bikes are capable, but what are you looking for? Also, the level of componentry, especially the fork/shocks, will have a bearing on how the frame will perform.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
I don't do any riding yet b/c I don't have a bike, but I live in southern california so the trails around here seem a little rugged.
 
#6 ·
You can ride all-mountain on either bike, you just risk breaking more parts the harder you push your equipment, especially if it was not designed for it. If this is your first mountain bike, and you want to ride as much of the terrain as possible, I say go with the MK-3. If you think you will want to get serious about racing, get the Azure. The 4-5 inch difference really only gives you a differnece in how far you can push the suspension, its more down to suspension design and set-up as far as effieciency goes (when only looking at a 1-inch difference), so pick a bike that will match HOW you want to ride overall. Believe me, you will end up with more than one bike anyway........personally, I have a 'trail' bike when I want to go all-day and not worry about my parts under me, as well as a 'race' bike when I am on the race course- but thats not to say I have never raced the trail bike and never trail-ridden the XC bike, it just illustrates (to me) why I have both bikes, because I have to ride each bike in a different way to accomplish the goal at hand. I cant bomb big rocky tech sections on the XC bike, but on the other hand, climbing is more of an effort on the heavier (and slacker geometry) trail bike. Go with your gut,and have some fun. Another bike will be there shortly, anyway :)
 
#7 ·
Generally speaking, try to get the best bike you can afford. It is usually the case that you will get a much better deal on the parts if they are there from the get go, vs. buying them individually later. However, part of dialing in your bike involves replacing those parts as you break it in so... you may not end up saving money if you go that route.

If you are interested in or start doing technical singletrack, you will find that as your skill increases, your need for "better" equipment will decrease. Other than a few super short runs with some drops like G (which can be done on an XC bike anyway), socal does not have any singletrack requiring a DH bike, 4" is plenty, 5" is ample.

Now an all-mountain bike will take a bit more work on long XC runs. You'll have to decide what you think you'll be riding more of, personally, I don't like to pedal. :thumbsup:
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Right now I seem to be leaning more towards the Azure XC, pedaling efficiency means alot to me (less work for me :thumbsup: )

I'm going to buy this bike in about 4 months, I still have alot of time to research, do you guys know if RScycle.com will still have the sale on Iron Horse bikes then?
 
#9 ·
Tamim said:
Right now I seem to be leaning more towards the Azure XC, pedaling efficiency means alot to me (less work for me :thumbsup: )

I'm going to buy this bike in about 4 months, I still have alot of time to research, do you guys know if RScycle.com will still have the sale on Iron Horse bikes then?
Click to expand...
1- That is an awesome Leary quote.
2- Don't know about RScycle.com sales and I was going to say check out performancebike.com, another online Iron Horse retailer, but RScycle has their Aniki price beat so I'm guessing the rest are as well.
 
#10 ·
Tamim said:
I'm going to buy this bike in about 4 months, I still have alot of time to research, do you guys know if RScycle.com will still have the sale on Iron Horse bikes then?
Click to expand...
In 4 months, the 2007 lines will be out, so it will be a gamble. If they have 2006 models left, they will likely be blowing them out, if not, you will pay retail on an 07
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
The thing that's nice about RScycle though is they build the bike for you, then ship it.

Thanks flowmaster I like the quote too :D
 
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Tamim
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